Hopefully, there are some Kooba People Out There....

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#31
Loving the Aubrey after just two days. It is comparable in size to jonnie but in north/south style instead of east/west. Normally I prefer e/w, but it is kind of nice to just have the one shoulder strap for a change. I just love how soft and slouchy my koobas are :)
 
#32
jeya13 said:
Loving the Aubrey after just two days. It is comparable in size to jonnie but in north/south style instead of east/west. Normally I prefer e/w, but it is kind of nice to just have the one shoulder strap for a change. I just love how soft and slouchy my koobas are :)
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I'm thinking about buying my first Kooba. I spotted the Aubrey in wineberry at Niemen Marcus to say when I went to check out the Balencinga bags they had in stock. I was immediately drawn to it (the color is beautiful), but wanted to know more about the brand before shelling $$ for it. I was disappointed to read that some people think the quality has decreased in the last few years.

Any opinions to sway me to buy my first Kooba?
 
#33
Sparkplug said:
I'm thinking about buying my first Kooba. I spotted the Aubrey in wineberry at Niemen Marcus to say when I went to check out the Balencinga bags they had in stock. I was immediately drawn to it (the color is beautiful), but wanted to know more about the brand before shelling $$ for it. I was disappointed to read that some people think the quality has decreased in the last few years.

Any opinions to sway me to buy my first Kooba?
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I really was dissapointed with Kooba bags for several years after they cheapened out on their iconic beautiful leather and hardware. And i sort of lost track of time, but somewhere around 2007 through about 2011 they really didn't even resemble their own style anymore. I believe their very last attempt to make a comeback was to bring back their Sienna bag that was probably the most popular bag they ever made. But their "comeback" was half the leather of the original and the hardware was cheap and not even brass, so I think that was the last straw for me for buying their bags. Somewhere around 2012, I started to see some better changes, in my opinion, and just within the last 2 months, I bought two Johnnie bags, one in Navy, and one in Ginger. I wish I could buy the one in Berry, but that would be going overboard for me. Bottom line is, I think they have turned around on the quality of their leather, hardware, and even though their lining will never be what it was (ultrasuede), I think they are worthy of my interest once again. It was fun when the Kooba thread was active, too. I would give them a shot at a second chance. But, I would buy one on sale. I still don't think they are worth close to $500-$600. I paid half that for my Johnnies on Zappos and was totally satisfied with my purchases.
 
#34
Compass Rose said:
I really was dissapointed with Kooba bags for several years after they cheapened out on their iconic beautiful leather and hardware. And i sort of lost track of time, but somewhere around 2007 through about 2011 they really didn't even resemble their own style anymore. I believe their very last attempt to make a comeback was to bring back their Sienna bag that was probably the most popular bag they ever made. But their "comeback" was half the leather of the original and the hardware was cheap and not even brass, so I think that was the last straw for me for buying their bags. Somewhere around 2012, I started to see some better changes, in my opinion, and just within the last 2 months, I bought two Johnnie bags, one in Navy, and one in Ginger. I wish I could buy the one in Berry, but that would be going overboard for me. Bottom line is, I think they have turned around on the quality of their leather, hardware, and even though their lining will never be what it was (ultrasuede), I think they are worthy of my interest once again. It was fun when the Kooba thread was active, too. I would give them a shot at a second chance. But, I would buy one on sale. I still don't think they are worth close to $500-$600. I paid half that for my Johnnies on Zappos and was totally satisfied with my purchases.
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Nordstroms Rack San Diego has Jonnies. They only have bright colors and I think the price is in the $250-300 range.
 
#39
I too was a big Kooba fan back in the Sienna days - went to the sample sales, have some of the very heavy braided bags and the like. I wish they'd bring some of those styles back. I stalk ebay periodically; I am dying for a Meredith in slate but they had a huge discoloration problem and I haven't yet found one that hadn't taken on a dingy brown cast to it. This thread might get me back into Kooba, though; I'll admit to being intrigued by the Johnnie. And I keep thinking about grabbing an embossed Sienna if I see one on ebay for the right price.
 
#40
juliel said:
I too was a big Kooba fan back in the Sienna days - went to the sample sales, have some of the very heavy braided bags and the like. I wish they'd bring some of those styles back. I stalk ebay periodically; I am dying for a Meredith in slate but they had a huge discoloration problem and I haven't yet found one that hadn't taken on a dingy brown cast to it. This thread might get me back into Kooba, though; I'll admit to being intrigued by the Johnnie. And I keep thinking about grabbing an embossed Sienna if I see one on ebay for the right price.[/QUOTE]


I still have my flower embossed Sienna and I will never give it up because it is my all time favorite. That bag has to be 8 years old now at least, and every time I pull it out of its dustbag I can still smell the leather on it. I hope you find one!
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#41
Kooba has been sold (or "acquired") a couple of times since the golden days. Any time someone buys a company they need to make their investment pay off, so that means grow the brand and maximize profits, which in this market is already a challenge.
 
#42
Compass Rose said:
Slouchy! I decided to go ahead an order the Ginger Johnnie for $249 on sale at Zappos. That would make two of the same purse, which means it is a great deal for that price. Just about half off the original. I would be happy to share my new enthusiasm with former and new Kooba owners!
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I finally got a Jonnie. Mine is very smooth, soft leather - I think same type as your Navy one. I was at NR today. They have Jonnie bags in bright colors and the leather is more textured - still soft but almost pebbled. It's fascinating how many colors they have done this bag in. Guess they decided they have a winner and they're capitalizing on it.
 
#43
Compass Rose said:
Yes...we are alike. Love my ginger and navy. Will check out that Aubrey because it is always a plus to get a good recommendation.
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It seems like there are several brown colors to choose from. I had seen Jonny in a medium brown color that I believe was tagged as Tan at Nordies. I've never run into one that color on sale at a BNM store. Looking last night at Ebay, the tan in the photos looked shiny - not like what I would want.
I see you ladies have Ginger and it's kind of a luggage color. Maybe that would be good for me.
I've also seen mocha, dark brown, camel (too light) and other browns.
Guess I'm partly venting and partly asking about the Ginger - would you say it's orange at all or definitely brown?
I just got a Jonny in Rose which in spite of the name is really orange or coral.
thanks
 
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